Westport 'plugs' plans for solar hub, electric cars

Jarret Liotta

Updated 10:38 am, Sunday, November 18, 2012

Photo: Jarret Liotta

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The eastbound terminal of the Saugatuck Railroad Station is having solar panels installed to power charging stations for electric vehicles, which were showcased Saturday at the town's Electric Vehicle Demo Day. Westport CT 11/17/12 less

The eastbound terminal of the Saugatuck Railroad Station is having solar panels installed to power charging stations for electric vehicles, which were showcased Saturday at the town's Electric Vehicle Demo Day. ... more

Photo: Jarret Liotta

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The Fisker is an $110,000 car with solar panels built into the roof. It was one of several vehicles shown at the Saugatuck Railroad Station on Saturday to raise awareness about electric cars. Westport CT 11/17/12 less

The Fisker is an $110,000 car with solar panels built into the roof. It was one of several vehicles shown at the Saugatuck Railroad Station on Saturday to raise awareness about electric cars. Westport CT ... more

One of 20 charging stations for electric vehicles at the Saugatuck Railroad Station. Westport CT 11/17/12

One of 20 charging stations for electric vehicles at the Saugatuck Railroad Station. Westport CT 11/17/12

Photo: Jarret Liotta

Westport 'plugs' plans for solar hub, electric cars

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The future of clean energy pulled into the Saugatuck Railroad Station on Saturday as officials "plugged" plans for a new solar-powered transportation hub and showed off electric cars it is designed to serve.

Along with new charging stations for electric cars that will be installed outside the historic eastbound rail depot, solar panels are being built atop the building to generate electricity for the structure and the 20 chargers.

"We've been working for three years on this project to put solar panels and 20 charging stations at the train station," said Leo Cirino, president of the Westport Electric Car Club.

To encourage the purpose and use of electric cars, the town is also offering commuters who currently hold railroad station parking permits special V.I.P. parking spots if they purchase electric cars for their commute.

He called the new solar-powered hub "another example of Westport being ahead of the crowd."

Several car dealers were on hand with models of electric cars.

Greg Taylor, a technician with Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, brought a $110,000 Fisker, which has solar panels built into the roof and an interior largely made from recyclables.

"It's good for the environment," he said, "and basically with gas prices going up and up, it's a good thing to do."

"This is the future of cars," he said. "A lot of car manufacturers now are going to some type of hybrid or some type of electric vehicle."

"As a member of the legislature's Energy & Technology Committee," said state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, "it's very heartening to see Westport in the vanguard of renewable energy innovation, and we hope this will be a role model for other train stations along the Metro-North corridor."

Cirino said that is the hope. If an energy-efficient station proves successful, those involved with its construction may be asked to develop similar projects across the state.

An encyclopedia of electric car history, Cirino spoke about the era before the gas engine.

"There were more electric cars in the United States in 1910 than there are now," he said, thanks to a Brooklyn, N.Y., inventor named Andrew Riker. His design was ultimately picked up by a Hartford-based company that began manufacturing electric cars for about $4,000 each.

Fortunately -- or unfortunately -- Henry Ford developed an engine designed to burn carbon-based fuel. This, in turn, ultimately made gas-powered automobiles much cheaper and more plentiful.

"Because you're talking about $400 versus $4,000, so the average guy could buy something," Cirino said.